Lakers vs. Celtics Game 5: Why It's Curtains for the Lake Show

So, first of all, I want to send my condolences to all the Lakers fans.

Second of all, I would like to say that the run the Celtics have gone on is legendary.

Boston was predicted to struggle with Miami in the first round. They handled the Heat four games to one.

In the second round King LeBron fell to the C's in six, resulting in one of the bigger upsets in recent playoff memory.

Then there was the Magic. The Celtics had fallen in six to Orlando the previous year, and many had the Magic winning the Conference Finals in 2010.

But that's why they play the game. The C's dominated the series and made yet another trip to the NBA Finals against the Lakers.

Against the Lakers, the Celtics struggled in Game One, and if it weren't for a huge effort by Ray Allen in Game Two they would have been down 2-0.

Alas, they ended up tied heading into Boston, where the Lake Show stole Game Three. But that was where enough was enough for the Celtics and their pride.

Game Four was won by the Celtic bench, specifically by Shrek and Donkey, AKA Big Baby and Nate Robinson. Game Five was won by Paul Pierce and a defense that allowed no one but Kobe to score in a game the C's won to send it to a possible clincher in Game Six out in L.A.

So why is this one over?

It is simple: The Celtics have a better bench, they have a more rounded group of scorers, and they are up 3-2.

Game Five showed that Kobe can score as many as he wants, but it is who shows up to help him that makes the biggest difference.

So who are the big game players in Game Six?

It is all going to depend on the Lakers bench. Odom, Farmar, and others are going to have to step up if the Lakers want to send it to a Game Seven.

The Celtics appear to have the momentum, the better bench, and the Truth.

It is going to be hard for the Lake Show to come back and make it back-to-back.